Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2021

96 points Wine Spectator: "[$199 list] This stunning, beautifully textured red is particularly impressive for the vintage, with cashmere-fine tannins supporting a rich display of cherry, mulled berry and linzer torte. There's lovely freshness too, with tension powered by a racy mineral vein and savory notes of grilled herbs, anise and menthol. This is firing on all cylinders, with a finish that stretches on and on. Best from 2025 through 2035. 340 cases made, 120 cases imported. (3/31/24)"

94 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "Primarily from vines planted in 1900 in a sandy, north-facing portion of la Crau, Marcoux's 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes seamlessly marries dusty earth with scents of black cherries, licorice and garrigue. Only medium to full-bodied this year, it's silky and elegant, not overly tannic but wonderfully long and vibrant on the finish. Drink: 2023-2038. (5/16/24))"

94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "From the Charbonnières and Les Esqueirons lieux-dits and just about all Grenache harvested at the end of September, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes was raised all in an older foudre. A gorgeous wine that makes the most of the vintage, it has a perfumed bouquet of black cherries, peppery herbs, spring flowers, and Provençal spices. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Châteauneuf with a wonderful sense of purity, fine, elegant tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This classic, balanced, seamless beauty is up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. (10/30/23)"

93+ points Nicolas Greinacher (Vinous): "[$199 list] The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes hides behind a layer of reduction. Time in the glass gradually brings out ripe raspberry, strawberry, orange peel, licorice and violet with a white pepper pinch. Although well-structured and concentrated, the 2021 has to take the backseat to the superstar 2020. Marcoux produced no Vieilles Vignes in 2022 because the Charbonnières vineyard parcel was heavily struck by summer hail. Drink: 2027-2038. (Jun 2024)"

93 points Stuart Pigott (JamesSuckling.com): "This has the aromatic complexity we look for in Chateauneuf with notes of savory, licorice and clove alongside the discrete black raspberry and wild blackberry aromas. Rich and fleshy, but with full fine tannins and enough acidity to prevent any hint of heaviness in spite of 15.5% alcohol. Long harmonious finish. A pure old vine grenache. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. (5/22/23)"